#Medicalpractice

A pioneering chapter presented at the 2025 Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (SADI) Congress introduces updated, evidence-based guidelines aimed at transforming how doctors worldwide—including in Thailand—approach sexual health histories in patient care. The guidelines, published and discussed by the HIV and STI Commission and developed with input from leading infectious disease specialists, offer clinicians seven core question areas essential for comprehensive sexual health consultations. Their adoption marks a significant shift toward more inclusive, respectful, and effective patient interactions, with important lessons for Thai healthcare providers and the wider community.

A new chapter unveiled at the 2025 Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases (SADI) Congress updates evidence-based guidelines for sexual health histories. The seven core question areas are designed to guide patient-centered conversations and reduce stigma in clinical settings. Thailand’s healthcare community can apply these insights to improve trust, confidentiality, and access across public and private sectors.

In Thai culture, discussions about sexual health can be sensitive and stigmatized. The adapted framework reflects a global effort to destigmatize services and improve care. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health shows ongoing gaps in STI screening and patient trust, underscoring the need for clearer communication tools and empathetic clinical approaches. The guidelines offer a pragmatic model for Thai practitioners to foster confidentiality, trust, and patient-centered care within local contexts.

Handwriting issues among doctors have spurred legislation and raised questions for patients, pharmacists, and policymakers worldwide. Recent interdisciplinary research shows that poor penmanship is not simply carelessness. For Thai readers who rely on handwritten notes for prescriptions or hospital charts, understanding the science behind legibility is crucial for safety and clear communication.

Writing matters in everyday Thai life, from classrooms where students learn to write to patient charts in regional clinics. The common critique of doctors’ “chicken scratch” notes has real consequences, including potential medication errors and miscommunications. Some jurisdictions, including several Brazilian states, now require typed prescriptions or utterly clear handwriting, a policy echoed by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health as part of ongoing efforts to improve patient safety.

Doctors’ notoriously difficult-to-read handwriting has triggered a wave of legislative action worldwide and raised enduring questions for patients, pharmacists, and even policymakers. But why do so many healthcare professionals—and people in general—struggle to write clearly? Recent interdisciplinary research offers nuanced answers drawn from anthropology, neuroscience, and psychology, revealing that poor penmanship is far more than a simple lack of care or discipline. For Thais who depend on handwritten medical notes for prescriptions or hospital charts, understanding the roots of this phenomenon is crucial for both safety and effective communication.